Master Italian cooking with these game-changing Italian pantry essentials. From pasta to pestos, elevate every meal like a true Italian chef!
Mamma mia! Did you know that the average Italian household spends over 14% of their income on food? That’s because Italians take their cuisine seriously, and it all starts with a well-stocked pantry.
Have you ever been in this situation where you wanted to cook something quick for lunch or dinner but didn’t have the time yet to shop for different ingredients? That’s where pantries come in handy.
Pantry staples are mostly the ingredients you’ll use on a regular basis and which make up one or a few ingredients of a dish. But there are also dishes that are almost entirely made out of pantry staples, like one of my all-time favourite Italian pasta dishes, Pasta Puttanesca. This example shows that dishes from pantry staples can still turn out amazingly delicious.
As someone who’s spent years perfecting my Italian cooking skills, I can tell you that having the right ingredients on hand is crucial. Let’s dive into the world of Italian pantry essentials and transform your kitchen into a slice of Italy!
Italian Pantry Essentials – Table of contents
The Foundation: Olive Oil and Vinegar
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? No Italian pantry is complete without a good bottle of extra virgin olive oil. Olive Oil is like liquid gold in Italian cooking! If I had to choose one particular Italian pantry, it definitely would be extra virgin olive oil, as I use it daily. Olive Oil has many health benefits and is used for frying, salad dressings or to refine dishes.
And don’t forget about balsamic vinegar – the authentic stuff from Modena or Reggio Emilia is worth every penny. I can say with a clear conscience, that you clearly can notice the difference between a cheap balsamic vinegar and a quality Balsamico di Modena one from these Italian regions. If you’re looking for a cheaper and tangy alternative, red wine vinegar is great for dressings and marinades.
Pasta and Grains: The Heart of Italian Cuisine
Now, onto the stars of the show – pasta and grains! You’ll want to stock up on a variety of dried pasta shapes. Linguine, penne, fusilli… the list goes on. And don’t forget about Arborio rice – it’s essential for making creamy risotto dishes. Another hidden gem is polenta! This versatile cornmeal is perfect for both savoury and sweet recipes. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it.
I always suggest getting quality Italian pasta, like the ones from Rummo, Garofalo, or Delallo. You often can recognize good pasta by its texture and colour. A quality Italian Pasta has a matte beige colour and a rather rough surface. This is an indicator that the pasta has more starch or will release more starch into the pasta water, which you’ll need to perfect a perfectly creamy pasta sauce.
Low-quality pasta, on the other hand, has a rather shiny flat surface and sometimes an unnatural deep yellow color.
You best store your pasta in an airtight container or a large jar.
Flour – Essential for baking and homemade Pasta
Have you ever thought about making your own fresh pasta or ravioli at home? Next to Pasta, 00-type flour and Semolina is always something you should have by hand. If you like to master your pizza game at home or make an authentic Focaccia Barese, flour is great to keep in large jars for your next baking adventure.
Tomato Products: The Backbone of Many Italian Dishes
Tomatoes are the unsung heroes of Italian cuisine. Always keep some canned whole peeled tomatoes on hand – San Marzano if you can get them. Although San Marzano canned tomatoes are well known for being the best, you can also use other quality Italian canned tomatoes. I often use Pelati and Passata from the brand Mutti, which I like and can recommend as well.
Pelati – Whole peeled tomatoes
Pelati are whole peeled tomatoes that are canned in their juice or puree. Whole peeled tomatoes are perfect when you need a chunkier sauce or prefer the ability to control texture.
They are often used for rustic pasta sauces like Pasta alla Norma or a classic ragu, as they add body and rustic flavour to the dish.
Passata – Tomato puree
Passata, on the other hand, is a smooth tomato puree made by sieving fresh tomatoes to remove seeds and skins.
Passata is another great Italian pantry staple to have at home. I think Passata is ideal when you want a smooth texture and rich tomato flavour without chunks. This is why It’s often used as a base for sauces and soups that need a consistent texture.
This makes Passata a great choice for smooth sauces like Arrabbiata, pizza sauces or even stews and tomato soups.
Tomato Paste
Last but not least, tomato paste is great for intensifying flavours in sauces and stews. In the Italian kitchen, tomato paste (concentrato di pomodoro), is often used to enhance the tomato flavour and to add depth and umami flavours.
Tomato paste is great for stews like bolognese or other ragu dishes. It is also used for braised meats to add a rich and caramelized tomato note.
Italian Pesto Sauce
Next to canned tomatoes and tomato sauces, a lovely glass of Italian pesto sauce is what every pasta lover should have at home. The word “pesto” comes from the Italian verb “pestare,” meaning to crush or pound, reflecting its preparation method using a mortar and pestle.
No matter if it’s a basil pesto (pesto genovese), red pesto (pesto rosso) or another kind of pesto, it is always handy to have a glass at home for a quick and easy pasta dinner.
Speaking about pesto sauce, freshly made pesto is almost always better than convenience products. But depending on the season, it is not always best and easy to find the right ingredients, like fresh basil for example.
If you would like to learn how to make a fantastic and delicious pesto on your own, check out my homemade pesto recipe.
Herbs and Spices: Italian Pantry Essentials for Flavoring
Let’s talk about adding some zing to your dishes with the following Italian pantry essentials. Several Mediterranean herbs and spices are used often in the Italian kitchen. One of the most known of them is for sure, dried oregano. You’ll know the lovely flavour from a drizzle of oregano on top of a delicious pizza right?! But dried Oregan is also used on many other occasions.
Some other must-have herbs to perfect your Italian cooking are dried basil, rosemary, thyme, sage or bay leaves. They are crucial for that classic Mediterranean flavour. Want to add a bit of heat?
When thinking about spices, there is one ingredient that I don’t want to miss in my kitchen, red pepper flakes (Pepperoncino). They are a great choice to add some heat to your dishes or pasta sauces. Also, you can make your own pizza chilli oil with them.
Italian Cheese and Dairy Products: Adding Richness and Depth
No Italian meal is complete without cheese! Parmigiano-Reggiano is the king of Italian cheeses – a little goes a long way. For a sharper, saltier kick, try Pecorino Romano. Pecorino is also one of the main ingredients in the four Roman pasta dishes, like my Pasta alla Gricia. And don’t forget about Mascarpone – this creamy cheese is perfect for both desserts and savoury dishes.
When speaking about dairy products, they may not be typical pantries because they do not last as long as other Italian pantry essentials. But especially for the hard cheeses like parmesan cheese, it is always beneficial to have some at home when cooking Italian on a regular basis.
Preserved Jarred Goods: Convenience with Italian Flair
Sometimes you need a quick flavour boost, and that’s where canned and jarred goods come in handy.
Keep some olives on hand too – Gaeta and Castelvetrano are delicious varieties. And artichoke hearts are perfect for tossing into salads, pizzas, or pasta dishes. And sun-dried tomatoes? They’re like concentrated tomato goodness in every bite. Keep these on hand and you’ll always be ready to whip up something delicious!
Another lovely ingredient to have on your shelves is capers. They add a peppery kick to your potato salad and are used in several pasta dishes like Linguine Puttanesca or Paccheri al tonno.
Canned Fish – Italian Pantry Essentials from the Sea
Anchovies are one of my favourites here, great for adding a rich, umami flavour to dishes. Anchovies are also a pantry ingredient used for the famous Pasta alla Puttanesca Sauce, which I highly recommend you to try!
Another popular canned fish to stock up on is tuna. Canned tuna in olive oil is great for summer salads or seafood pasta like my authentic Italian Paccheri al tonno.
Legumes: A great protein and fibre source
Have you ever tried a Mediterranean or Italian Bean Salad? If not, you will be amazed at how fresh and tasty it can be, making a great side dish in the summer. When it comes to beans, Borlotti beans and Cannellini beans are probably the most used in Italian recipes.
In the Italian kitchen, lentils, beans or even chickpeas are mostly used for stews and rustic dishes. But they are also ingredients in some pasta dishes like pasta e fagioli.
Nuts and Dried Fruit: Snacks and Recipe Enhancers
Last but not least, let’s talk about nuts and dried fruit. Pine nuts are essential for making pesto and other regional specialities.
What I also always like to have at home is dried porcini mushrooms. They are an absolute winner for a fantastic Italian porcini risotto, adding an intense umami flavour.
Conclusion
There you have it, friends! These are the Italian pantry essentials I suggest everyone to have at home when getting more serious about Italian cooking. They will set you up for success in creating authentic, mouthwatering Italian dishes right in your own kitchen.
Remember, cooking Italian food is all about using high-quality ingredients and letting their flavours shine. So stock up on these staples, and you’ll be ready to whip up a feast that would make any Italian nonna proud. Buon appetito and happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions for Italian Pantry Essentials
What is considered a pantry staple?
A pantry staple is a basic ingredient or food item that is consistently stocked in your kitchen pantry because it’s essential for preparing everyday meals. They’re normally ingredients that are canned or can be hold for a long time, in jars for example.
Is Olive Oil a pantry staple?
Yes, olive oil is not only a pantry staple but a cornerstone in the Mediterranean kitchen and especially for the Italian cuisine.
What is the main staple food in Italy?
The top three of the main Italian pantry staples are pasta, canned tomatoes and olive oil.